Tiger Woods 'itching' to play in the Masters next month insists Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus expects Tiger Woods to return to action in time for the Masters.

Woods is four titles short of matching Nicklaus' record of 18 majors, but has not played this year.

The Masters begins on April 8 and last month Woods offered no assurances he would play at all in 2010 as he apologised for the sex scandal which has turned his life upside down.

However Nicklaus suspects 34-year-old Woods will be itching to play at Augusta and is likely to take his place in the field.

Golf wants you back: Jack Nicklaus (left) believes Tiger Woods will be playing again next month

Speaking before the Honda Classic at PGA National, Nicklaus said: 'It would it surprise me if he didn't.

'I've been very non-committal because it's none of my business. But playing golf, my guess as a golfer, he's going to probably try to want to.'

Nicklaus added: 'I suspect he will play something before Augusta, and I'd be very surprised if he doesn't play before Augusta.'

Discussing Woods further, Nicklaus said: 'His personal life is his personal life. He's a professional golfer and he's a sensational golfer. He's a great athlete, and he'll figure out his own problems. And as a golfer, he'll come back and get his game in shape and play. That's what he does.'